KUCHING, July 2 – The Sarawak government is ready to offer scholarships to Sarawakians who are interested in pursuing a career in security to further their studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the move is part of the state government’s efforts to develop the talents of its young people to meet security needs.
“At least they have the discipline… discipline and also new security theories. It’s not that we want to establish our own army but it’s a matter of talent training. They can then work with the police, with the army or work with us at UKPS (Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit),” he said.
Speaking at the Sarawak Command Net (SCNET) launching ceremony in conjunction with the Eighth Anniversary Celebration of UKPS here, he said the establishment of UKPS was not intended to take over security powers from the federal government but rather to complement the state’s needs.
“Security powers are under the federal government. We are only helping with the existing level so that we feel safe with coordination between security agencies under the federal government,” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak has a very long coastal area and this presents a challenge to be fully monitored by security agencies under the federal government and needs the assistance of the state government.
He said the state also has many rivers that are not under the control of federal enforcement agency and this matter can be addressed through the establishment of the Sarawak Coast Guard which was established in 2019.
“Our work now is to help us all make Sarawak a peaceful and prosperous area,” he said.
According to him, the launch of SCNET is an initial step for Sarawak to form a more sophisticated security communication network as part of the initiative to defend the state’s security.
“We can work with responsible parties for the sake of the sovereignty of Malaysia… this is what is important. The sovereignty of the country of Malaysia,” he added.
